Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, Kyoto

Shugaku-in Imperial Villa is a set of gardens and teahouses located in the hilly eastern suburbs of Kyoto. It was created by retired Emperor Go-Mizuno, between 1655 and 1659, when the initial construction was done. It occupies the site which was previously the Ensho-ji nunnery established by his eldest daughter, Princess Ume-no-miya. The nunnery relocated to Nara to make way for the garden.

Despite its name, there isn't a "villa" or main building within Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, which sprawl over an area of 53 hectares. It comprises three separate gardens. The Upper Garden has a large artificial pond with several small islands on it. It makes extensive used of "borrowed scenery", incorporating the surrounding landscape into the design, particularly the Kitayama mountains. The Lower Garden, originally an arrival station for guests, is now made more formal.

The Middle Garden was established after Go-Mizunoo died. His daughter Princess Mitsuko became a nun, and established a temple, the Ryinku-ji, at the gardens. However, it later fell into disrepair and was eventually removed. Now the Middle Garden has two main buildings, set within and outer and inner fence.

Lower Garden, Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, Kyoto

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